| Abstract: | Accumulation of fat in the oil-palm exocarp is delayed untilthe kernel has almost finished developing (at about 19 weeksafter pollination) and is then extremely rapid, a major partof the lipid being formed within a single week. Throughout theperiod studied (8 to 20 weeks after pollination) the fat-freedry weight remains approximately constant and carbohydrates(starch, sucrose, and reducing sugars) do not accumulate eitherprior to or during fat formation. Immature exocarps contain only a low proportion of fat (about1 per cent, of the dry weight) and this ‘protoplasmic’lipid has a different fatty acid composition (major componentspalmitic and linoleic acids accompanied by smaller amounts ofstearic and linolenic acids) from the later-formed oil (majorcomponents palmitic and oleic acids with smaller amounts ofstearic and linoleic acids). There is no evidence of fatty acidinterconversions at any stage of development. |
